5<\/p>\n Weight loss drug prescriptions in England have doubled to almost three million in a yearCredit: Getty 5<\/p>\n Prescriptions for Mounjaro surged to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlierCredit: Alamy<\/p>\n It comes as a new Sun survey reveals 73 per cent of our readers are thinking of using them as they struggle to shift weight.<\/p>\n Official figures show prescriptions for the big three<\/a> \u2014 Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy \u2014 rocketed from 1.4million in 2023-24 to 2.7million last year.<\/p>\n The increase was driven by Mounjaro<\/a>, regarded as the strongest jab, with prescriptions surging to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlier.<\/p>\n Most were prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes<\/a>, as the injections were designed to treat that condition, and have only recently been approved for weight loss<\/a> alone.<\/p>\n read more on weight loss jabs<\/p>\n NHS figures suggest prescriptions in Wales<\/a> also doubled last year, from approximately 34,000 to 70,000, and in Scotland from 40,000 to 50,000.<\/p>\n The numbers are expected to rise again this year as the NHS introduces them through slimming clinics.<\/p>\n More than a million people are also already buying the jabs<\/a> privately.<\/p>\n Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: \u201cNever in my career have I seen a product with as much hype as these injections.<\/p>\n \u201cThe demand is absolutely huge and I expect it to keep increasing \u2014 the only way is up.\u201d <\/p>\n Clare Butler, 48, said the jabs also helped her mental health<\/a>.<\/p>\n Weight Loss Jabs – Pros vs Cons<\/p>\n The mum, from Manchester<\/a>, who has lost 4st 4lb<\/a>, said: \u201cMounjaro didn\u2019t only quieten the food noise, but it helped quieten the over-thinking, anxious thoughts that had consumed my life for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n She described it as, \u201cthe best decision I\u2019ve ever made for myself\u201d.<\/p>\n Research is revealing wide-ranging health benefits to the jabs<\/a>, such as lowering risks of cancer, heart disease and dementia, yet warnings over weight loss drugs are also increasing.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Medics warn they must not be used in pregnancy, while trying to conceive or while breastfeeding, for fear they could lead to miscarriage or birth defects.<\/p>\n They have also warned that rapid weight loss caused by the drugs could lead to bone loss and osteoporosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n Annual statistics from the NHS Business Services Authority show the total number of GLP-1 injections prescribed increased from 1,427,968 in the 2023-24 financial year to 2,734,499 in 2024-25.<\/p>\n It was a 91 per cent spike \u2014 accounted for almost entirely by Mounjaro\u2019s growth. <\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Clare Butler lost 4st4lb on MounjaroCredit: Clare Butler 5<\/p>\n Clare said the jabs not only helped her lose weight but improved her mental healthCredit: Clare Butler<\/p>\n The totals also included brands such as Saxenda, Ozempic and Wegovy.<\/p>\n In the same period, the cost of prescribing rose from \u00a3137,808,297 to \u00a3269,276,366 \u2014 equal to 2.4 per cent of all NHS spending on pharmacy medicines, or \u00a31 in every \u00a342.<\/p>\n The NHS said: \u201cWe expect demand for weight loss drugs to continue to rise in the coming years.\u201d<\/p>\n The Department of Health added: \u201cWe recognise the drugs\u2019 importance for treating type 2 diabetes and their exciting remit as new treatments for obesity<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Person](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/image-individual-injecting-insulin-abdomen-1001421042.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Mounjaro](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/e2ac9e44-96c8-4dbb-b7e9-d5d3b30a054d.jpg\")
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1749422475_796_losing-4st-best-decision-ive-996359273.jpg\")
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